Few topics produce such heated debate as the debate around abortion. Whatever your religious or political beliefs the rapidly increasing number of abortions taking place in the U.K. each year is a worrying trend that raises questions about our society. Nearly 200,000 abortions take place every year in this country and the U.K. has one of the most liberal abortion laws in Europe. 

The reality is that when an abortion takes place a life is terminated. That is something that can't be denied. So it has always struck me as odd that many people on the left of British politics are fervent supporters of abortion and a 'women's right to choose'. For me socialism is about sticking up for the vulnerable in society, the people that can't always make their voices heard, who could be more vulnerable than an unborn child? The thinking behind the 'women's right to choose' mentality doesn't seem to match traditional socialist values like equality of opportunity and the basic human right to life.

The problem lies in the fact that the debate has now become so heated that it has turned into a good old slogging match between the political left and the (mainly) religious right. Slogans are being bashed around without any particular thought being given for constructive debate. An example of the way this debate has turned sour is a recent proposal by a Catholic bishop that any Roman Catholic Member of Parliament who supports pro-abortion legislation should be excommunicated from the church. This kind of emotional blackmail is clearly unacceptable in a 21st Century representative democracy and proposals like this add nothing useful to the debate about abortion law.

Since the introduction of the Abortion Act in 1967 the lives of six million unborn children have been terminated in the U.K. Surely then this is a debate that politicians and indeed everyone need to take very seriously. We must take into account the recent advances in medical science that mean unborn children as young as 20 weeks who could legally be aborted old can survive after being born at 20 weeks and go on to live fulfilling lives. We must also take into account the rights of women and their health and well-being. But let's not jump to any conclusions or turn this very serious debate into a political left wing - right wing pantomime because in this case we really are talking about a matter of life and death.

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Interesting stuff Mr Ireland, it is certainly right and proper that we on the left wing take a long, good look at what we believe. That said I will stand by my pro-choice stance but strongly feel that it is not a black/white issue and doctors must have the freedom to deal with each case on a case by case basis.  
It is certainly true that both sides hide behind and demonise slogans. For example Pro-choice doesn't simply mean Pro-abortion or Pro-death and similarly Pro-Life isn't a straight forward slogan. Pro-life? Pro whose life?  
 
I certainly encourage a strong and serious discussion on this issue and look forward to hearing the opinions.

Ben Norman - Mon, 17 Dec 2007

 

 

As you all really know , believe in the primacy of the individual , as well as socialism , so this is a hard one for me really. I'm certainly pro-choice and think that the person who is pregnant should be able to choose, whatever anyone else said and the descision should not be made under pressure. I think the most important area is education, for the person to be fully educated on the outcomes of either side of the choice. As Ben says... look forward to hearing other opinnions.  
 
Love

Adam Sunman - Tue, 18 Dec 2007

 

 

You make a very interesting point about babies being able to survive when born at 20weeks, however this is exceptionally rare and many who are born this premature end up having severe disabilities (learning or physical). But who has the right to say who can live and who can not? I do believe in Pro-choice but also believe that it should not just be given out willy-nilly. I believe that many of the abortions that happen today are a result of poor education/lack of knowledge on contraception - usually started in schools. 
 
I can personally vouch and say I had little sex ed at school and what we did have wasn't in touch with reality. There was no lessons on how to cope with the peer pressure surrounding sexual activity, etc, etc - I'm sure you all know what I mean... There is also definately no information on abortions available - maybe if people were educated in how an abortion works then maybe people would be more careful in the first place (I understand it to be not a pleasant experience at all - especially with the psychiatric probs that they can cause).  
 
I would never agree with a ban on abortions as I believe in some cases (for example rapes) they offer some sort of justice (although minor) for the victim. On the whole I do agree with Ben's point : Pro-Choice as opposed to Pro-Life as there is always more than one life involved in the decision.

Jenny Leggott - Thu, 20 Dec 2007